In Temiskaming Shores, sharrows have been painted on the Wabi bridge continuing to Elm Street. The purpose of a sharrow – road markings showing a bicycle with two chevrons – is to remind residents to share the road when driving or riding their bicycle.
Benefits of Sharrows
For bicyclists, sharrows:
- Let bicyclists know when to "take the lane" where lanes are too narrow for riding side by side with vehicles
- Can be used as a navigating tool for bicycle friendly routes
- Reminds drivers that people riding their bicycles may be present
For drivers, sharrows:
- Remind drivers that people on bicycles may use the lane and belong in traffic
- Encourages safe passing of bicyclists by motorists
- Remind them to share the road
- Sharrows do not mean that the lane is only for bicycles. Vehicles and bicycles must share the lane.
- Sharrows do not in any way require a bicyclist to take a particular route or obligate where bicyclists should position themselves in a lane. Bicyclists have the right to ride in any lane and motorists should treat people on bicycles as they would any other vehicle.
How to drive in a lane with sharrows:
- Sharrows in Temiskaming Shores are painted on lanes that are too narrow for a vehicle to safely pass a bicycle.
- Bicyclists should “take the lane” by riding closer to the middle of the lane to reduce the risk of vehicles passing too closely.
- Drivers should travel a safe distance behind a bicyclist, and only pass in another lane of traffic when safe to do so.
- Be patient and share the road!
Resources
Information Card
Poster
20200709/sh:nd
